2010 WMS Tournament

Havdoglous Sisters Lead Freedom Past Havoc, 1-0

Saturday, July 31, Game 12 -

The New York Freedom knocked off the defending WMS champion New York City Havoc, 1-0, Saturday evening at Biondi Field in West Haven. The Freedom were fueled by a sixth-inning homer by Kristin Havdoglous. Her sister, Amanda Havdoglous, picked up the win with a complete game shutout, in which she struck out four batters.

The decision assured that there would be new Women’s Major Softball National Champions in 2010, and eliminated the Havoc, who finished in fourth place. The Havoc captured the inaugural WMS Championship in 2009 with a 2-1 victory over the Stratford Breakers.

The game evolved into a pitcher’s duel, with Amanda Havdoglous working out of numerous jams, and Nicole Broecker also giving the Havoc a quality start. Broecker allowed just four hits over six innings, and also struck out two batters.

The Havoc put the lead runner on base in six of the seven innings, but could not plate a run off Havdoglous. New York City pounded out seven hits and earned two walks, while being retired in order only once. Nicole Estrada led the attack with two hits in the contest.

The solo shot by Kristin Havdoglous in the sixth broke the scoreless tie, and put the Freedom up for good.

Gina Gerone came up as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, with the Havoc trailing 1-0. Gerone gave the Havoc new life with a leadoff single. However, the last hope for NYC to continue their quest to repeat was thwarted, as Havdoglous retired the next three batters in a row to advance.

Nicole Adisano was named to the All-Tournament team as the squad’s second baseman. She contributed numerous defensive gems throughout the tournament, while serving as the Havoc’s leadoff hitter.

The Freedom advanced to the loser’s bracket final with the win, to face the St. Louis Saints on Sunday morning at 10:15, for the right to play in the WMS Championship Game.